Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book.
Review: Excellent book, I definitely recommend it. Most rewarding of all, is that exactly as the author states in his introduction, the narrative, in the veteran's own words, takes the reader to the middle of the action, whether it be tragic or heroic. How the author tracked down these veterans and coaxed them into sharing their personal histories, some for the first time in sixty years, is beyond me, and an achievement in itself; the book and what it represents in terms of historical value and human interest is invaluable. I do wish that the maps had been larger, but that might have been a function of the publisher and not the author. In fact the maps are exceptional in that they are quite detailed, and extremely accurate. The author, Mr. O'Donnell, has succeded in striking a very effective balance between his own narrative and that of the veteran's oral histories. Very well done. I'll be looking forward to future books from this author.
Rating:
Summary: Ten Stars!
Review: I was having a rough time finding a book on World War II to hold my interest. Beyond Valor changed that, I was able to finaly figure out what all of the other books were missing...the voices of the men themselves. Filled with chapter upon chapter of gripping stories that will fill you with pride & bring you to tears, all withinn the span of a few pages. Patrick O' Donnel has done what few historians tend to do. With the stories contained herin he takes you to the front lines of the most brutal of conflicts, and tells the untold story.
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Summary: daughter of airborne
Review: BEYOND VALOR provided me a realistic insight into the souls of those who have put themselves in harm's way for their country. It goes beyond this, however, providing those of us who have never, and will hopefully never, have to experience the ordeals of war. Many movies and books depict war in a glorious, romantic and strategic fashion, glossing over the ugliness and barbaric truths of battle. Reading this book brings to light these truths, and reveals that after 50 years, many of the men who survived WWII continue to wrestle with the ghosts of war. Thank you Pat O'Donnell for writing this true gift of a book. Jacqueline (daughter of one of the men depicted in BEYOND VALOR)
Rating:
Summary: jack airborne
Review: Finally, a documentary that captures the impossible. No movie "mumbo jumbo", no mincing of words. Pat O'Donnell in his first effort, BEYOND VALOR, has hit on the formula, conveying as closely as possible the gut feeling of the front-line combat soldier. This book will stir the soul of the reader, and is must reading for Americans of any generation...
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Valor captures WWII like never before
Review: Pat O'Donnell's unique way of capturing the heartfelt and poignant views of the Rangers and Airborne of WWII makes for an unbelievable book. These vets put their battle-line experiences in their own words and after keeping them perhaps bottled up inside for 50+ years they come out in such a passionate and unforgettable way. Mr. O'Donnell strings their stories together in a manner that only punctuates events which if not told by the soldiers who actually experienced them, the reader would not believe actually occurred. The stories of how the young men faced death and overcame it will forever change my outlook on the war. This book provides an amazing historical context to the war and reveals events that likely would not have been told if left up to interpretation by those not actually at the Battle of the Bulge, Salerno, Southern France or at the liberation of the camps. What is so unique about this book is that it is not a second hand account as told to an author but the actual words of the soldiers. Mr. O'Donnell's use of "e-histories" is to be commended. This book is as important to documenting the history of World War II as any I've read. The terror and triumph these men experienced played on my emotions as I read chapter after chapter of this book. Mr. O'Donnell serves as the curator of amazing works of history in his web site TheDropZone.org and I am forever grateful that he decided to share some of his masterpieces with the world.
Rating:
Summary: A Stirring First-Hand Account of the War in Europe
Review: Author Patrick K. O'Donnell has taken oral testimonies from surviving veterans of the war in Europe and put them together in this excellent book. Beginning in August, 1942 with the Dieppe raid to the fall of Germany in 1945, these men give heart-felt accounts of what it was like to be on the front lines of combat.Each veteran has his own unique story to tell. Some men sweated out long nights under artillery fire, while others patrolled deep into German-held territory. O'Donnell also does a wonderful job of describing the bond that formed between these men. Each man was willing to give his own life so the others in his platoon might survive. It was this uncommon valor among the men that helped them survive and, ultimately, win the war. The book also contains excellent commentary by the author. He sets the scene for each chapter with a compelling narrative about the battle or campaign that is covered, then he lets the men who actually fought there bring the battle to life. My favorite section of the book dealt with the siege of Bastogne and the battle for the Hurtgen Forest. The images created by O'Donnell are very vivid and will surely remain in my mind. I usually read about the Pacifc theater, but this book has opened my eyes to the European conflict as well. I give this book my highest recommendation. Oral histories are the best way to learn about history, and this book keeps up that tradition. I also recommend O'Donnell's excellent work about the Pacific theater entitled "Into the Rising Sun".
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